Interpersonal adaptation: dyadic interaction patterns

Abstract We examined associations between preschool children's cumulative risk exposure, dyadic interaction patterns, and self-control abilities in 238 mother–child dyads. Positive interactive synchrony, relationship ruptures, and latency to repair were micro-coded during a 3–5 minute joint challenge task. Children's self-control was assessed via two laboratory tasks and by parent report. Structural equation modeling and mediation analyses were utilized to examine the direct and indirect effects of cumulative risk on children's observed and parent-reported self-control abilities. Parent–child interactive processes of dyadic synchrony and latency to repair ruptures in synchrony were examined as mediators. Dyadic synchrony and latency to repair ruptures were found to mediate associations between cumulative risk exposure and children's behavioral and parent-reported self-control. Children exposed to more cumulative risk engaged in less dyadic synchrony and experienced longer latencies to repair ruptures with their caregiver, which in turn was associated with lower child self-control. Though cross-sectional, findings suggest dyadic synchrony and repair processes may represent viable mechanistic pathways linking cumulative risk exposure and deficits in child self-control. However, independent replications using longitudinal and experimental intervention designs are needed to determine causal pathways and inform new approaches for targeting the effects of early risk exposure through a focus on two-generational interventions.

Download Full-text

A model for the dynamics of face-to-face interactions in social groups

Network Science ◽

10.1017/nws.2020.3 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 8 (S1) ◽

pp. S4-S25 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Marion Hoffman ◽

Per Block ◽

Timon Elmer ◽

Christoph Stadtfeld

Keyword(s):

Social Network ◽

Social Groups ◽

Social Contexts ◽

Dyadic Interaction ◽

Interpersonal Interaction ◽

Interaction Patterns ◽

Face To Face ◽

Social Lives ◽

Group Settings ◽

Network Studies

AbstractFace-to-face interactions in social groups are a central aspect of human social lives. Although the composition of such groups has received ample attention in various fields—e.g., sociology, social psychology, management, and educational science—their micro-level dynamics are rarely analyzed empirically. In this article, we present a new statistical network model (DyNAM-i) that can represent the dynamics of conversation groups and interpersonal interaction in different social contexts. Taking an actor-oriented perspective, this model can be applied to test how individuals’ interaction patterns differ and how they choose and change their interaction groups. It moves beyond dyadic interaction mechanisms and translates central social network mechanisms—such as homophily, transitivity, and popularity—to the context of interactions in group settings. The utility and practical applicability of the new model are illustrated in two social network studies that investigate face-to-face interactions in a small party and an office setting.

Download Full-text

Unanswered Questions and Hypotheses about Domestic Cat Behavior, Ecology, and the Cat–Human Relationship

Animals ◽

10.3390/ani11102823 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (10) ◽

pp. 2823

Author(s):

Dennis C. Turner

Keyword(s):

Domestic Cat ◽

Dyadic Interaction ◽

General Interest ◽

Interaction Patterns ◽

Psychological Assessments ◽

Human Relationships ◽

Home Setting ◽

Human Interactions ◽

Non Invasive ◽

Breed Differences

After recent publication of several reviews covering research results from the last 35 years of domestic cat studies, a number of important unanswered questions and hypotheses have arisen that could interest active researchers, especially those beginning their academic careers. Some sections of this paper concern methodologies that have yielded new insights and could provide more in the future; other sections concern findings and interpretations of those that need further testing. First, hypotheses arise from combining subjective (or psychological) assessments of cat and human personality traits and observational (ethological) studies of cat–human interactions: e.g., do owners with high attachment to their cats interact differently with them than owners with low attachment levels? New analytical methods of dyadic interaction observations open the door for testing further hypotheses. In particular, the Theme® (Noldus bv, NL) program could be used to determine if there are differences between cat breeds in interaction patterns with people, which is not only of interest to owners but also therapists employing cats in their practices. Cat breed differences have been found using subjective ratings, but these need to be corroborated by direct observational data from the home setting and/or non-invasive colony observations, since ratings based on anthropomorphic projections might not be reliable. This should be done before searching for the genetic basis of such differences. Reliable information on breed differences is also needed before prescribing certain breeds for animal-assisted interventions. A model has predicted that the degree of socialization as a kitten affects cats’ responses to positive and negative experiences with unfamiliar humans and their formation of feline–human relationships later on. This needs to be tested in an ethically approved manner on cats of known socialization status and has enormous consequences for cat adoptions from animal shelters. Observations of human–cat interactions have yielded many correlations, which can be tested by non-invasive manipulations of human behavior in the home setting. Examples of these will be given and are of general interest to the cat-owning public. A review of first findings on social cognition in cats has resulted in further unanswered questions and hypotheses. Finally, two aspects of domestic cat ecology will be considered (effects on wildlife and space utilization), which are of great interest to the public and conservationists alike.

Download Full-text

Mother and Infant Activity and Interaction in France and in the United States: A Comparative Study

International Journal of Behavioral Development ◽

10.1177/016502549101400102 ◽

1991 ◽

Vol 14 (1) ◽

pp. 21-43 ◽

Cited By ~ 23

Author(s):

Marc H. Bornstein ◽

Catherine S. Tamis-LeMonda ◽

Marie-Germaine Pecheux ◽

Charles W. Rahn

Keyword(s):

New York ◽

Intellectual Development ◽

The United States ◽

Dyadic Interaction ◽

Natural Setting ◽

Interaction Patterns ◽

Cultural Validity ◽

Two Cultures ◽

The Two Cultures ◽

The Individual

Infants experiences are often thought to influence social and intellectual development in the individual, and on a societal level they are sometimes credited for some of the distinctiveness that typifies cultural style. To compare and contrast the experiences of French and U.S. American infants, mother-infant dyads in Paris and in New York City were observed interacting in the natural setting of their homes. This report focuses on infants' visual attention, tactual exploration, and vocalisation and on mothers' mediated and unmediated stimulation and speech to infants. The study had two main goals: One was to identify and describe activities and interaction patterns that may be similar and different in these two Western cultures, and the other was to test the cross-cultural validity of a hypothesis that states that specific mother and infant activities relate to one another in dyadic interaction. Mothers and infants in the two cultures showed some similarities and some different emphases in their activities, and patterns of mother-infant interaction in the two cultures tended to correspond.

Download Full-text

Implicit Theories of Relationships and Conflict Communication Patterns in Romantic Relationships: A Dyadic Perspective

Journal of Relationships Research ◽

10.1017/jrr.2018.11 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 9 ◽

Author(s):

Taylor Dovala ◽

Matt Hawrilenko ◽

James V. Cordova

Keyword(s):

Romantic Relationships ◽

Current Literature ◽

Implicit Theories ◽

Communication Patterns ◽

Dyadic Interaction ◽

Interaction Patterns ◽

Conflict Communication ◽

The Relationship ◽

Demand Withdraw ◽

Implicit Theories Of Relationships

The present study examined the relationship between dyadic interaction patterns and implicit theories of relationships (ITRs; deeply held beliefs about the nature of relationships) using a sample of N = 104 couples. We hypothesised that destiny beliefs would predict greater avoidance in conflict interactions, while growth beliefs would predict more constructive communication. Surprisingly, the results of the current study challenge the existing literature by indicating that neither destiny nor growth beliefs predict constructive communication or mutual avoidance for the couple. Further, while destiny beliefs were related to increased withdrawal in a demand-withdraw pattern, growth beliefs related to both demand and withdraw in a demand-withdraw pattern. These findings suggest that assessing the relationship between ITRs and communication patterns at the couple level introduces complexity that is underexplored in the current literature on implicit theories of relationships.

Download Full-text

The four modes of coexistence in social systems

Kybernetes ◽

10.1108/k-10-2015-0268 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 46 (3) ◽

pp. 433-449 ◽

Cited By ~ 7

Author(s):

Helmut Nechansky

Keyword(s):

Social Systems ◽

Institutional Development ◽

Dyadic Interaction ◽

Behavioral Characteristics ◽

Interaction Patterns ◽

Power Politics ◽

System Science ◽

Content Type ◽

Problem Solving Strategies ◽

Exchange Patterns

Purpose The paper aims to relate the four modes of coexistence of goal-orientated systems – conflict, hierarchy, the niche and cooperation – to static behavioral descriptions of social systems. Design/methodology/approach Analyzing the options for interactions of goal-orientated systems leads the four modes of coexistence. These show certain behavioral characteristics. Searching for these characteristics in selected behavioral descriptions in organizational theory, sociology, political science and system science allows relating them to certain modes. Findings In organizations, the four modes of coexistence show in general (Cameron and Quinn) and dyadic interaction patterns (Argyris). In sociology, they show in educational schemes preparing for specific modes (Bernstein) and in different exchange patterns (Polanyi). In political theory, the four modes of coexistence show in preferred policies of parties, in institutional development, in oligarch power politics (Winters) and in external policy. In system science, they show in problem solving strategies (Jackson) and “mindscapes” (Murayama). Research limitations/implications The analysis is restricted to static patterns leaving out dynamic developments, for example, in networks. Practical implications Together with previous investigations, the paper shows how behavioral descriptions ranging from psychology to politics correspond to the four modes of coexistence, and it suggests interrelations and alignments of the modes via various levels of societal organization. Originality/value The four modes of coexistence provide an unequivocal theoretical framework that allows finding parallels in behavioral descriptions ranging from psychology via sociology to politics.

Download Full-text

A Dynamic Systems Approach to Family Assessment

European Journal of Psychological Assessment ◽

10.1027/1015-5759.21.4.240 ◽

2005 ◽

Vol 21 (4) ◽

pp. 240-248 ◽

Cited By ~ 22

Author(s):

Paul L.C. van Geert ◽

Anna Lichtwarck-Aschoff

Keyword(s):

Dynamic Systems ◽

General Framework ◽

Systems Approach ◽

Dyadic Interaction ◽

Family Assessment ◽

Interaction Patterns ◽

Short Term ◽

The Family ◽

Underlying Processes

Abstract. The dynamic systems approach provides a general framework for studying processes. Properties of that approach are applied to the issue of family assessment. The description covers methods of assessment of short-term processes (e.g., dyadic interaction) and long-term processes (e.g., changes in interaction patterns over years). Special attention is given to the meaning of fluctuation and its relation to transitions and changes of the family system's properties. Two examples of assessment methods and procedures are discussed. One concerns the use of state space representations, the other the design of family studies, encompassing the use of mathematical models of the hypothesized underlying processes.

Download Full-text